Despite the evidence to the contrary, many doctors still believe that Black Americans don’t develop digestive issues as often as other ethnicities. This is especially true when it comes to Crohn’s disease. The fact that other illnesses can co-exist with this condition can also make a diagnosis difficult. Fortunately, if you know what you’re dealing with you can have frank discussions with your doctor.
8 Diseases That Can Co-Exist With Crohn’s Disease
1. Psoriasis
This is an autoimmune condition where the immune system causes accelerated skin cell growth. If you have psoriasis, you’ll see raised patches of dry, itchy skin as well as signs of inflammation. In Black people, the affected areas may appear as dark brown or purple patches.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks your joints. With this condition, you can experience joint pain, joint stiffness and swelling. If left untreated, joints can become deformed. This form of arthritis can also affect your heart, lungs, and eyes.
3. Lupus
Lupus is a chronic illness that causes inflammation throughout the body. It most commonly affects the joints, heart, skin, and kidneys. However, it can also impact the digestive system, leading to symptoms similar to Crohn’s disease.
4. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
It’s generally thought that people develop MS when their immune systems attack the coating around the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. As a result, you can have varying symptoms like tingling in the extremities, poor memory, chronic fatigue, and trouble keeping your balance.
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5. Asthma
The connection between Crohn’s disease and asthma is a recent discovery. However, studies suggest that people with asthma often go on to be diagnosed with digestive disorders. The main symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing.
6. Heart Disease
It’s estimated that inflammation in the body can lead to heart disease and this is likely the link to Crohn’s disease. Some symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling in the legs, and an uneven heartbeat.
7. Ankylosing Spondylitis
This condition is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. If you have ankylosing spondylitis, you may experience chronic back pain and stiffness.
8. Fibromyalgia
While more studies need to be done, there is some evidence that people who have Crohn’s disease have a higher risk of developing
